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Brantford-Brant

Papa Gretzky replaces looted photo

Mike Agriesti, owner of Mike's Auto Spa on West Street. sits in his office on Tuesday after having his Wayne Gretzky memorabilia stolen in a break-in at the automotive detailing business. (Brian Thompson/The Expositor)

Mike Agriesti was having a pretty bad day until Walter Gretzky showed up on Tuesday with a gift.

Agriesti's collection of memorabilia about Gretzky's hockey son, Wayne, was stolen during a break and enter to his West Street business overnight Sunday.

Agriesti was shocked to find the glass on the front door smashed when he arrived for work on Monday morning at Mike's Auto Spa. The place had been ransacked.

Agriesti is a big Wayne Gretzky fan and decorated his office with hockey items from the Brantford hockey star collected over years.

His prized possession -- a framed and signed New York Rangers' Gretzky jersey -- was among the looted property.

"They smashed it and took the actual jersey out of the frame," said Agriesti.

Photos and books signed by Walter Gretzky, along with Agriesti's entire rookie hockey card collection, Gretzky's card included, also was taken. Among the other cards were those of Mark Messier, Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman, Paul Coffey. "Too many to list," said Agriesti.

"The thieves got away with approximately 40 vintage rookie cards and all of Wayne's early cards from the '80s. It was a very hard and sad day for me."

Agriesti, who has been operating his car detailing business on West Street for the past five years, estimates the value of the hockey collection at $4,000. It wasn't insured.

"I got a lot of compliments about it from people who came in," said Agriesti. "It was a nice way to pay my respect to Wayne."

Walter Gretzky heard about the incident from a neighbour and came into the shop Tuesday morning with a signed picture of Wayne, exactly like one that was stolen.

"Truly lost for words," Agriesti wrote under a photo of himself and Walter posted on his Facebook page. "I'm in tears. Happy tears."

The intruders also helped themselves to various tools from the shop, including a buffer, polisher, drill, sockets, ratchets and hammers, valued at about $1,000. They even smashed a jelly bean machine and stole the quarters being collected for charity, along with some chocolate and about $25, also being gathered for a charitable group.

Agriesti said he spent several hours cleaning up the mess but was still able to get done the work he had scheduled for the day.

"I'm trying not to drive myself crazy," said a clearly distraught Agriesti. "It's not the end of the world. It could have been a lot worse. I have to pick up the pieces and move on."

He said he has been comforted by the "overwhelming support" he has received on Facebook after posting some information and photos about the crime.

Although there was an alarm system at the business, Agriesti said it wasn't triggered because the intruders entered through the smashed glass and didn't open the door. An upgraded alarm has since been installed.

The crime was reported to police on Monday morning but Agriesti said there are no leads. He is asking anyone with information to call him at 519-752-8585. Anyone with information about break and enters in the city can contact the street crimes unit at 519-756-0113, ext. 2286. Those who wish remain anonymous can contact Brant-Brantford Crime Stoppers at 519-750-TIPS or 1-800-222-8477.